• First quarter GAAP and non-GAAP earnings of $0.42 per diluted share exceeds prior year period by 180 percent and 121 percent, respectively
  • Net sales of $448 million for first quarter 2016 represents best first quarter in company history
  • Record first quarter operating income of $48.2M increases 77 percent over prior year
  • Record gross margin and operating income margin of 17.8 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively
  • Non-GAAP full-year adjusted earnings guidance increases to $1.65 – $1.75 per diluted share representing a year over year improvement of 14 percent at the midpoint of the range

LAFAYETTE, Ind., April 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC), a diversified industrial manufacturer and North America’s leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. 

Net income for the first quarter of 2016 was $27.5 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to the first quarter 2015 net income of $10.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.  First quarter 2016 non-GAAP adjusted earnings increased $14.0 million over the prior year period to $27.8 million, or $0.42 per diluted share.  Non-GAAP adjusted earnings for the first quarter of 2016 includes an early extinguishment of debt charge of $0.5 million related to the Company’s repurchase of a portion of its outstanding convertible senior notes. 

Net sales for the first quarter increased 2 percent to $448 million from $438 million in the prior year quarter while operating income increased 77 percent on improved pricing and operational execution to $48.2 million, compared to $27.3 million for the first quarter of 2015.  Operating EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the effects of certain recurring and non-recurring items, for the first quarter of 2016 was $59.8 million, an increase of $20.7 million, or 53 percent, compared to operating EBITDA for the prior year period.  On a trailing twelve month basis, net sales exceeded $2.0 billion, generating Operating EBITDA of $250.1 million, or 12.3 percent of net sales.  The continued year-over-year improvement in operating performance is attributable to the successful execution of the Company’s growth and diversification strategies, strong pricing environment within our Commercial Trailer Products segment and operational improvements across the Company’s manufacturing facilities.

The following is a summary of select operating and financial results for the past five quarters:

         
      Three Months Ended  
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)     March 31,   June 30,   September 30,   December 31,   March 31,  
      2015       2015       2015       2015       2016    
       
Net Sales     $ 437,597     $ 514,831     $ 531,350     $ 543,711     $ 447,676    
                         
Gross Profit Margin       13.1 %     14.1 %     16.2 %     16.2 %     17.8 %  
                         
Income from Operations     $ 27,263     $ 42,054     $ 56,389     $ 54,663     $ 48,185    
                         
Income from Operations Margin       6.2 %     8.2 %     10.6 %     10.1 %     10.8 %  
                         
Net Income     $ 10,474     $ 28,649     $ 31,880     $ 33,286     $ 27,524    
 
Diluted EPS     $ 0.15     $ 0.41     $ 0.47     $ 0.50     $ 0.42    
                         
Non-GAAP Measures(1):                        
Operating EBITDA     $ 39,135     $ 53,655     $ 68,030     $ 68,643     $ 59,820    
 
Operating EBITDA Margin       8.9 %     10.4 %     12.8 %     12.6 %     13.4 %  
                         
Adjusted Earnings     $ 13,788     $ 23,586     $ 31,880     $ 34,138     $ 27,831    
                         
Adjusted Diluted EPS     $ 0.19     $ 0.33     $ 0.47     $ 0.51     $ 0.42    
      `       `          

Notes:

(1) See “Non-GAAP Measures” below for explanation of the non-GAAP results included above.

Dick Giromini, president and chief executive officer, stated, “First quarter results represent the best in our Company’s history as we set first quarter records for sales, gross profit, income from operations and operating EBITDA.  Furthermore, we established new records for gross profit margin and operating income margin of 17.8 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively.  The momentum generated in 2015 has continued into the first quarter of 2016 with strong operational execution throughout the Company, along with margin enhancement through improved pricing and a continued strong demand environment within our Commercial Trailer Products segment.”

Mr. Giromini continued, “New trailer shipments for the first quarter were approximately 14,500, exceeding our previous guidance of 13,000 to 14,000 trailers driven by strong customer pick-ups and favorable weather conditions.  A robust backlog of $1.1 billion; overall trailer market projections by ACT Research and FTR; customer commentary; and outstanding operational execution across the business, have put us on pace to deliver another record year in 2016, our fifth consecutive year of record performance.  As such, we are increasing our full-year adjusted earnings guidance to $1.65 to $1.75 per diluted share.”

First Quarter Business Segment Highlights
The table below is a summary of select segment operating and financial results prior to the elimination of intersegment sales for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.  A complete disclosure of the results by individual segment is included in the tables following this release.

     
(dollars in thousands)   Commercial   Diversified    
      Trailer Products   Products   Retail
Three months ended March 31,            
  2016            
New trailers shipped     14,300       500       400  
Net sales   $ 354,848     $ 79,424     $ 34,037  
Gross profit   $ 59,583     $ 18,524     $ 3,785  
Gross profit margin     16.8 %     23.3 %     11.1 %
Income (Loss) from operations   $ 52,060     $ 6,622     $ (149 )
Income (Loss) from operations margin     14.7 %     8.3 %     -0.4 %
               
  2015            
New trailers shipped     13,600       850       750  
Net sales   $ 314,504     $ 103,992     $ 43,140  
Gross profit   $ 29,633     $ 23,373     $ 4,853  
Gross profit margin     9.4 %     22.5 %     11.2 %
Income from operations   $ 22,770     $ 10,611     $ 1,126  
Income from operations margin     7.2 %     10.2 %     2.6 %
               

Commercial Trailer Products’ net sales increased $40 million, or 12.8 percent, on shipments of 14,300 trailers, or 700 more trailers than the prior year period.  This increase in revenue was primarily due to an improved pricing environment, a 5.1 percent increase in trailer shipments and product mix.  Supported by higher volumes, pricing and continued operational improvements, gross profit and gross profit margin increased $30.0 million and 740 basis points, respectively, as compared to the same period last year.  Operating income increased $29.3 million, or 128.6 percent, from the first quarter last year to $52.1 million.

Diversified Products’ net sales decreased $25 million, or 23.6 percent, primarily the result of lower tank trailer shipments as compared to the previous year period.  Demand for non-trailer truck mounted equipment, process systems and composite products were comparable with the previous year period.  Gross profit and operating income declined $4.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively, compared to the prior year period, primarily due to lower overall net sales and pricing pressures on certain products.  However, gross profit margin improved 80 basis points as compared to the prior year as a result of continued strong operational execution and product mix.

Retail’s net sales of $34 million decreased 21.1 percent compared with the prior year period primarily due to lower shipments of new trailers.  Gross profit and operating income declined $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, compared to the prior year period due to lower net sales.  Gross profit margin of 11.1 percent was comparable with the prior year period despite lower sales due to a higher mix of parts and service product lines.

Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the financial information included in this release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including operating EBITDA, operating EBITDA margin, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures and results calculated in accordance with GAAP, including net income, and reconciliations to GAAP financial statements should be carefully evaluated.

Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of intangibles and other non-operating income and expense.  Management believes operating EBITDA provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s results of operations.  The Company provides this measure because we believe it is useful for investors to understand the Company’s performance period to period with the exclusion of the recurring and non-recurring items identified above.  Management believes the presentation of operating EBITDA, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of operating income, is beneficial to an investor’s understanding of the Company’s operating performance.  A reconciliation of operating EBITDA to net income is included in the tables following this release.

Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 reflect adjustments for charges related to the extinguishment of debt.  For certain other periods presented, we have excluded from these measures income recognized on the sale of former retail branch locations as well as charges related to losses incurred in connection with the Company’s impairment of intangible assets.  Management believes providing these measures and excluding these items facilitate comparisons to the Company’s prior year periods and, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income and diluted net income per share, is beneficial to an investor’s understanding of the Company’s performance.  A reconciliation of adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share to net income and diluted net income per share is included in the tables following this release.

First Quarter 2016 Conference Call
Wabash National will conduct a conference call to review and discuss its first quarter results on April 27, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.  Access to the live webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.wabashnational.com.  For those unable to participate in the live webcast, the call will be archived at www.wabashnational.com within three hours of the conclusion of the live call and will remain available through July 20, 2016.  Meeting access also will be available via conference call at 888-771-4371, participant code 42294454.

About Wabash National Corporation

Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC) is a diversified industrial manufacturer and North America’s leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems. Established in 1985, the Company manufactures a diverse range of products including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, platform trailers, bulk tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, truck-mounted tanks, intermodal equipment, aircraft refueling equipment, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade and pharmaceutical equipment. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National®, Beall®, Benson®, Brenner® Tank, Bulk Tank International, DuraPlate®, Extract Technology®, Garsite, Progress Tank, Transcraft®, Walker Engineered Products, and Walker Transport. Visit www.wabashnational.com to learn more.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements convey the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, the Company’s adjusted earnings guidance for 2016, statements regarding the Company’s outlook for trailer shipments, backlog, expectations regarding demand levels for trailers, non-trailer equipment and our other diversified products, pricing, profitability and earnings, cash flow and liquidity, opportunity to capture higher margin sales, new product innovations, and our growth and diversification strategies.  These and the Company’s other forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Without limitation, these risks and uncertainties include the uncertain economic conditions including the possibility that customer demand may not meet our expectations, increased competition, reliance on certain customers and corporate partnerships, risks of customer pick-up delays, shortages and costs of raw materials, risks in implementing and sustaining improvements in the Company’s manufacturing capacity and cost containment, dependence on industry trends and timing and costs of indebtedness.  Readers should review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this press release and in the Company’s reports to its stockholders and periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
             
      Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
        2016       2015    
             
Net sales   $ 447,676     $ 437,597    
Cost of sales     368,150       380,400    
  Gross profit     79,526       57,197    
             
General and administrative expenses     19,392       18,051    
Selling expenses     6,961       6,569    
Amortization of intangibles     4,988       5,314    
  Income from operations     48,185       27,263    
             
Other income (expense):          
  Interest expense     (4,095 )     (5,173 )  
  Other, net     (398 )     (5,382 )  
  Income before income taxes     43,692       16,708    
Income tax expense     16,168       6,234    
Net income   $ 27,524     $ 10,474    
Basic net income per share   $ 0.42     $ 0.15    
Diluted net income per share   $ 0.42     $ 0.15    
             
Comprehensive income          
  Net income   $ 27,524     $ 10,474    
  Foreign currency translation adjustment     (97 )     (303 )  
Net comprehensive income   $ 27,427     $ 10,171    
             
             
Basic net income per share:          
  Net income applicable to common stockholders   $ 27,524     $ 10,474    
  Weighted average common shares outstanding     65,037       68,731    
  Basic net income per share   $ 0.42     $ 0.15    
             
Diluted net income per share:          
  Net income applicable to common stockholders   $ 27,524     $ 10,474    
             
  Weighted average common shares outstanding     65,037       68,731    
  Dilutive shares from assumed conversion of convertible senior notes           1,729    
  Dilutive stock options and restricted stock     1,187       1,095    
  Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding     66,224       71,555    
  Diluted net income per share   $ 0.42     $ 0.15    

 

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                       
      Commercial    Diversified       Corporate and    
Three Months Ended March 31,   Trailer Products   Products   Retail    Eliminations   Consolidated
  2016                    
New trailers shipped     14,300       500       400       (700 )     14,500  
Used trailers shipped     150       50       150       (50 )     300  
                       
New Trailers   $ 347,582     $ 29,776     $ 11,839     $ (17,388 )   $ 371,809  
Used Trailers     1,715       901       2,393       (256 )     4,753  
Components, parts and service     1,630       20,522       19,768       (2,985 )     38,935  
Equipment and other     3,921       28,225       37       (4 )     32,179  
  Total net external sales   $ 354,848     $ 79,424     $ 34,037     $ (20,633 )   $ 447,676  
                       
Gross profit   $ 59,583     $ 18,524     $ 3,785     $ (2,366 )   $ 79,526  
Income (Loss) from operations   $ 52,060     $ 6,622     $ (149 )   $ (10,348 )   $ 48,185  
                       
  2015                    
New trailers shipped     13,600       850       750       (850 )     14,350  
Used trailers shipped     100       50       200             350  
                       
New Trailers   $ 307,680     $ 54,018     $ 19,857     $ (20,283 )   $ 361,272  
Used Trailers     2,170       1,169       2,571       (327 )     5,583  
Components, parts and service     1,391       23,463       19,941       (3,282 )     41,513  
Equipment and other     3,263       25,342       771       (147 )     29,229  
  Total net external sales   $ 314,504     $ 103,992     $ 43,140     $ (24,039 )   $ 437,597  
                       
Gross profit   $ 29,633     $ 23,373     $ 4,853     $ (662 )   $ 57,197  
Income (Loss) from operations   $ 22,770     $ 10,611     $ 1,126     $ (7,244 )   $ 27,263  
                       

 

 
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
             
        March 31,   December 31,
          2016       2015  
        (Unaudited)    
ASSETS
Current assets        
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 168,411     $ 178,853  
  Accounts receivable     159,443       152,824  
  Inventories     208,209       166,982  
  Deferred income taxes           22,431  
  Prepaid expenses and other     12,180       8,417  
    Total current assets   $ 548,243     $ 529,507  
             
Property, plant and equipment     138,722       140,438  
             
Deferred income taxes     14,255       1,358  
             
Goodwill       149,768       149,718  
             
Intangible assets     109,548       114,616  
             
Other assets     15,134       14,033  
        $ 975,670     $ 949,670  
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities        
  Current portion of long-term debt   $ 2,451     $ 37,611  
  Current portion of capital lease obligations     708       806  
  Accounts payable     123,720       79,618  
  Other accrued liabilities     95,256       93,042  
    Total current liabilities   $ 222,135     $ 211,077  
             
Long-term debt     277,690       274,885  
             
Capital lease obligations     1,748       1,875  
             
Deferred income taxes     649       1,497  
             
Other noncurrent liabilities     21,473       20,525  
             
Commitments and contingencies            
             
Stockholders’ equity     451,975       439,811  
        $ 975,670     $ 949,670  
                     

 

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
(Dollars in thousands)  
(Unaudited)  
   
  Three Months Ended March 31,  
        2016       2015    
         
Cash flows from operating activities            
  Net income     $ 27,524     $ 10,474    
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities        
  Depreciation       4,176       4,138    
    Amortization of intangibles       4,988       5,314    
    Deferred income taxes       7,595       1,642    
    Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation       (1,090 )        
    Loss on debt extinguishment       487       5,286    
    Stock-based compensation       2,470       2,420    
    Non-cash interest expense       948       1,185    
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities        
  Accounts receivable       (6,619 )     (21,686 )  
  Inventories       (41,227 )     (65,843 )  
  Prepaid expenses and other       (3,763 )     3,216    
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities       46,316       57,625    
  Other, net       1,099       458    
  Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     $ 42,904     $ 4,229    
                         
Cash flows from investing activities            
  Capital expenditures       (2,976 )     (2,975 )  
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     $ (2,976 )   $ (2,975 )  
                         
Cash flows from financing activities            
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options       192       719    
  Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation         1,090          
  Borrowings under revolving credit facilities       175       163    
  Payments under revolving credit facilities       (175 )     (163 )  
  Principal payments under capital lease obligations       (225 )     (432 )  
  Proceeds from issuance of term loan credit facility             192,845    
  Principal payments under term loan credit facility       (482 )     (192,845 )  
  Principal payments under industrial revenue bond       (127 )     (122 )  
  Debt issuance costs paid             (1,994 )  
  Stock repurchase       (8,757 )     (19,929 )  
  Convertible senior notes repurchase       (42,061 )        
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     $ (50,370 )   $ (21,758 )  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     $ (10,442 )   $ (20,504 )  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       178,853       146,113    
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     $ 168,411     $ 125,609    
                         

 

 
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                       
Operating EBITDA1:                      
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
               
    2016       2015                  
Net income $   27,524     $   10,474                  
Income tax expense     16,168         6,234                  
Interest expense     4,095         5,173                  
Depreciation and amortization     9,164         9,452                  
Stock-based compensation     2,470         2,420                  
Impairment of Intangibles     –          –                   
Other non-operating (income) expense     398         5,382                  
Operating EBITDA $   59,819     $   39,135                  
                       
                       
  Three Months Ended   Trailing Twelve Months    
  June 30,
2015
  September 30,
2015
  December 31,
2015
  March 31,
2016
  March 31,
2016
   
Net income  $   28,649     $   31,880     $   33,286     $   27,524     $   121,338      
Income tax expense     16,672         19,538         16,578         16,168         68,957      
Interest expense     4,802         4,784         4,789         4,095         18,470      
Depreciation and amortization     9,482         9,525         9,538         9,164         37,709      
Stock-based compensation     2,119         2,116         3,355         2,470         10,060      
Impairment of Intangibles     –          –          1,087         –          1,087      
Other non-operating (income) expense     (8,069 )       187         10         398         (7,474 )    
Operating EBITDA $   53,655     $   68,030     $   68,643     $   59,819     $   250,147      
                       
                       
Adjusted Earnings2:                      
  Three Months Ended March 31,        
    2016       2015          
  $   Per Share   $   Per Share        
                       
Net Income $   27,524     $   0.42     $   10,474     $   0.15          
                       
Adjustments:                      
Loss on debt extinguishment, net of taxes     307         –          3,314         0.05          
                       
Adjusted earnings $   27,831     $   0.42     $   13,788     $   0.19          
                       
Weighted Average # of Diluted Shares O/S     66,224             71,557              
                       
                       
  Three Months Ended
  June 30, 2015   September 30, 2015   December 31, 2015
  $   Per Share   $   Per Share   $   Per Share
                       
Net Income $   28,649     $   0.41     $   31,880     $   0.47     $   33,286     $   0.50  
                       
Adjustments:                      
Loss on debt extinguishment, net of taxes     211         –          –          –          126         –   
Impairment of intangibles, net of taxes     –          –          –          –          726         0.01  
Branch Transactions, net of taxes     (5,274 )       (0.07 )       –          –          –          –   
                       
Adjusted earnings $   23,586     $   0.33     $   31,880     $   0.47     $   34,138     $   0.51  
                       
Weighted Average # of Diluted Shares O/S     70,694             68,042             67,218      
                       
1Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and other non-operating income and expense.
 
2Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share reflect adjustments for non-recurring charges related to losses incurred in connection with the Company’s extinguishment of debt.  Historically, we have also excluded income recognized on the sale of former retail branch locations as well as an impairment of intangibles.

 

CONTACT: Media Contact:
Dana Stelsel
Corporate Communications Manager
(765) 771-5766
[email protected]

Investor Relations: 
Mike Pettit
Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations 
(765) 771-5581
[email protected]